Decline in plastic imports ‘reflects efforts to curb use’

CAMBODIA spent over $1 billion on imports of plastic and rubber products in 2023, a drop of more than 11%. The decrease reflects the government’s efforts to reduce plastic use nationwide, as reported by the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE).

Exports of goods categorised under Harmonised System (HS) Code 39, including plastics and related articles, totalled $1.07 billion in 2023, marking an 11.9% decrease from $1.22 billion in 2022.

The import value of Code 39 products accounted for 4.43% of the country’s total imports in 2023, which amounted to $24.18 billion, a slight decrease from 4.8% year-on-year.

For December 2023, imports of the items amounted to $96.14 million, a 10.7% decline from $107.67 million in the same month of 2022, according to the GDCE.

Hong Vanak, director of International Economics at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, suggested to The Post on February 8 that the decrease in plastic imports could be attributed to several key factors.

He said these include the increased extraction of domestic resources (latex) over imports, the government and private sector’s commitment to reducing plastic use for environmental protection, the recycling of old plastics and the adoption of biodegradable alternatives.

Vanak noted that while plastics are environmentally harmful, their importation is necessary for processing into products for daily use and packaging for both domestic and export purposes.

“The maximisation of local raw material extraction may be a primary cause for the decline in these imports. When the cost of importing foreign products decreases, it will bolster the national economy by allowing for the conservation of more international currency for use as international reserves,” he stated.

Vanak noted that the reduction in imports is also linked to growing environmental awareness among Cambodian citizens.

“Imports of plastic products are now for essential purposes only, with the government implementing numerous measures to minimise their use,” he added.

The Ministry of Environment announced on February 6 that plastic imports decreased by about 50% towards the end of 2023.

Khvay Atiya, an undersecretary of state at the ministry, said that imports in Q4 2023 declined by 32.2 tonnes from Q3.

“This indicates a rise in public awareness and increasing participation in the ministry’s ‘Today I will not use plastic’ campaign,” he said.

Atiya also highlighted that last month saw a significant drop in imports, with only 12 tonnes imported – an 80% decrease compared to over 60 tonnes in January 2023.

“We began recording the data to monitor the private sector’s use of plastic in their production chains,” he explained.

To further promote the reduction of plastic use, the government has implemented various measures, particularly in public spaces and schools.

Atiya said the initiatives encourage students to convert plastic and waste into compost, aligning with the UN Global Compact to combat non-biodegradable pollution.

He added that the country is committed to international cooperation and has launched a nationwide campaign to reduce plastic use with widespread public involvement.

According to the ministry, the issue of plastic pollution has been a global concern, with all UN member states negotiating to establish a universal law to address it. This includes reducing production and supply and improving the efficiency of its use.

The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has subsequently approved investment proposals for the production and processing of plastics, covering items such as daily necessities, toys and packaging.